Midwife Charged in Virginia With Involuntary Manslaughter

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-- A grand jury in Virginia has indicted a midwife who has delivered more than 1,200 babies on manslaughter charges in the death of a baby, MyFoxDC.com reports.

Karen Carr, a certified professional midwife, is described by one of her clients as "strong, wise, experienced, skilled.” A woman who considers Carr a mentor even started a website to help with Carr's legal defense.

Carr's lawyer, John Kenneth Zwerling, says the parents of the child who died hired Carr after learning that their baby was in the breech position. Carr has safely delivered breech babies vaginally. Most are delivered by C-section.

"Her main purpose was to help this woman get what she wanted. She felt she was qualified. Her credentials show that she's qualified. History says she's qualified," Zwerling said.

But in the Alexandria case, the lawyer says the baby's body was out, but his head was caught.

The child did not survive.

Carr is a Maryland resident. She is certified as a midwife, but is not licensed to practice in Virginia. Practicing without a license is another charge she faces in court.